South Africa’s own economic revolution may be in motion. To some observers, South Africa’s recent investment summit led by president Cyril Ramaphosa seemed like much ado about nothing. Several of the projects announced had been incorporated into companies’ plans for some time and with the summit having had a showbiz style about it, it’s tempting to see the event as little more than smoke and mirrors.

Western Cape minister of economic opportunities Alan Winde said yesterday that his province had suffered the most with reported cases of avian influenza in the country. So far this year, the province has confirmed 36 cases and 70 ostrich farms are under quarantine.

Jobs in the Western Cape’s agriculture sector have increased by 17%, according to the latest figures from Statistics South Africa. Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities, said Stats SA’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey, released recently, showed that 250 000 people were employed in the province’s agriculture sector.